Jamesina is a unique and uncommon feminine given name of American origin. It is derived from the English name James, which itself is derived from the Late Latin name Jacobus, meaning "supplanter" or "held by the heel." The name Jamesina is typically associated with Irish culture, as it was popularized during the Great Potato Famine in Ireland during the mid-19th century. However, it has also been used in other English-speaking countries.
The name Jamesina is thought to have first appeared in Ireland around the 1830s or 1840s. It was often given to girls born into Catholic families who wished to honor Saint James the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and a patron saint of Spain. The name gained further popularity during the Irish immigration period to America in the mid-19th century.
In American culture, the name Jamesina has been used relatively infrequently compared to its masculine counterpart, James. However, it does appear sporadically throughout history. For example, there was a Jamesina O'Connell (1856-1942), an Irish-American suffragette and labor organizer who played a significant role in the women's rights movement during the late 19th century.
Today, Jamesina remains a rare and distinctive name, often chosen by parents seeking a unique name with historical roots. It can serve as a beautiful and meaningful option for those looking for an uncommon feminine name with a strong cultural heritage.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Jamesina in the United States from 1945 to 1974, we can observe some interesting trends over time.
The name Jamesina appeared most frequently during the years 1961 and 1968 with a total of 9 births each year. This peak period suggests that there was an increased popularity or preference for this name during these years compared to others.
On average, approximately 7 babies were named Jamesina each year throughout this 30-year span (calculated by summing up the birth numbers and dividing by the number of years). However, there were some fluctuations around this average:
- Years with fewer births: In several years such as 1945, 1962, 1967, and 1974, only 5 or fewer babies were named Jamesina.
- Years with more births: Besides the peak years mentioned earlier, there was also a notable increase in popularity for the name Jamesina in 1968, when 13 newborns received this name.
Overall, despite these variations over time, it's clear that Jamesina remained relatively uncommon throughout the period covered by these statistics. With a total of just 89 births during these three decades, the name accounted for only a small fraction of the overall number of babies born each year in the United States during that time.